A Place to Call Home Tenant and Landlord Information

1. A Place to Call HomeTenant and Landlord Information Prepared by the Prince Albert Literacy Network for the Homelessness Partnering Strategy 2013

2. This presentation will help you: • find a good home • know your rights and responsibilities • know rights and responsibilities of a landlord • avoid problems renting • handle problems with renting You will get a participation certificate

3. Rental Tenancies Act • Government legislation that sets out rules for tenants and landlords that are the law http://www.justice.gov.sk.ca/Information-for-Landlords-and-Tenants • The Office of Rental Tenancies (Rentalsman) is a government organization that helps tenants and landlords understand and use the act 1-888-215-2222

4. A good rental home lets you: • stay in one place longer • keep children in the same school • get to know your neighbours • get involved in the neighbourhood • get to know your landlord better

5. Tenants who know how to be good renters: • save the landlord time & money • know their rights & responsibilities • have less problems • report building problems sooner

6. Problems that make itharder to rent • not enough good places available • addictions problems • bad past rental references • owing money to utilities • not knowing enough about renting

7. So -- I need a place to live.How do I know… • what to look for? • what I can afford? • where to find places to rent? • how to check out a place ? • what to ask the landlord? • what information the landlord needs? • how to present myself?

8. A house or apartment? Think about: • space and a yard • extra utility costs • lawn care and snow removal

9. What should I look for? • make a checklist • identify special needs • make a budget • sample lists in the handouts

10. General Checklistsee handout □ big enough □ affordable □ clean and good condition □ school □ safe playground □ bus stop □ grocery store □ safe neighbourhood □ smoking □ pets

11. Safety Checklist see handout □ smoke detectors □ stairs, railings, balconies □ flooring □ water marks and mold □ taps and drains □ windows □ doors & fire escape routes 1 door / 1 window minimum □ locks / security system □ appliances □ yard

12. What rent can I afford?see handout • Make a detailed budget. • Do I qualify for special needs housing? • How much rent money do I get from social service programs? • Do I qualify for government subsidies?

13. Government Supplementssee handout • Low income employment supplement • Disability supplement • Rental supplement • An inspection of the unit will be needed • Federal housing program for new immigrants and refugees Contact for information: 1-866-221-5200 www.socialservices.gov.sk.ca/income-assistance

14. How to find a rental unit !? • Newspapers: PA Daily Herald, The Shopper, Rural Roots • Internet sites – such as Kijiji • Phone book – yellow pages • PA Now (online) • Bulletin boards in grocery stores, schools, public places • Ask people you know • For Rent signs on apartment buildings • Handout: Places to Rent in Prince Albert

15. Checking out a place • Get a tour of the rental unit • Use your checklists see handout • Pay special attention to safety • Ask the landlord questions about the rental unit and neighbourhood • Talk to the landlord & feel comfortable They must be polite and respectful • Talk to other renters & neighbours about the good and bad things

16. What questions should I ask? see handout • What is available in the neighbourhood? • How much is the rent? When and who to pay? • How much is the damage deposit? • Is there a moving in & out checklist? • Taking photos of any problems is a good idea  • What utilities do I pay & what’s the average cost? • How is the place heated? • Is there a rental agreement (lease)? • How long is the lease? • Are pets allowed? • Is smoking allowed?

17. What do I give to the landlord? • 2 references from past landlords • if you don’t have past landlords, ask who will be accepted as a reference • a damage deposit (should not exceed one month’s rent) • an application form with detailed information Build Good References

18. How do I present myself? • Make appointment: give your full name and phone number • Be on time • Be friendly, pleasant and polite • Be clean and neat • Be organized • Ask landlords if they have any questions for you

19. Found: A Place to Call Home • What is a rental agreement or lease? • What are my rights & responsibilities? • What are my landlord’s rights & responsibilities? • What if I have problems in renting? • What do I do if my landlord: • says I have done something wrong • evicts me? • How do Iend my tenancy?

20. A Rental Agreement or Lease see sample handout is a paper with rules about renting your place

21. Rental Agreement (Lease)includes: • names of tenant and landlord • who can live there • rent payment and damage deposit • appliances included • any utilities you pay • length of lease • rights and responsibilities of both tenant & landlord • subletting rules • ending tenancy

22. Verbal Agreementsee sample handout • If there is no written agreement (lease) you will verbally agree on certain conditions of renting with your landlord • Make notes of what is agreed on for future reference • It should include the same topics as a written lease

23. Tenant Insurance A Tenant Guard Insurance Policy provides coverage for: • your belongings in case of fire, flood or other damage • property damage caused by accidents you might have

24. What are my rights? You have a right to: • Live in a safe quiethome • Get a signed lease or a verbal agreement • Get receipts for any money paid in cash • 1 year notice of rent increase -- in writing • Move into a clean place in good condition • Have problems fixed in a reasonable time • Have common areas clean and well lit

25. continued…. You have a right to: • appliances that work well • utilities that work well • 24 hours written notice before a landlord’s visit and reason for that visit • access to your suite • get the damage deposit back if the place is clean and there is no damage • sublet the suite if you have a fixed term tenancy

26. What are my responsibilities? A tenant is responsible to: • pay the rent on time • give the agreed time for notice to leave • not bother neighbours • not do illegal or harmful activities • keep the place clean • not cause damage

27. Your responsibilities continued…. • tell the manager if anything is not working or is damaged • follow the Lease or Rental Agreement • have only the allowed number of people living in the apartment or

28. But…. I didn’t do it! Youare responsible: For what anyone does in your place • relatives, friends, people subletting your suite Suggestion:Post rules for your visitors to see See sample in handouts

29. What if I have problems with my place? • be polite and pleasant • deal with problems right away • talk to landlord • write to landlord see sample letter handout • make notes with the date and what is said • call Office of Rental Tenancies

30. Is this your place?

31. What if my landlord says I have done something wrong or evicts me? • be polite and pleasant • respond to problem right away -- do not wait for an eviction notice • ask what you need to do to fix the problem • make a note of dates and what is said • be honest • discuss solution with landlord • if it’s truly unfair, call the rentalsman, don’t wait, and don’t leave.

32. How do I end my tenancy? • give appropriate notice in writing with date • arrange to pay any penalty if leaving early • go over damage checklist with landlord • return all keys • clean place including appliances, carpets, walls • get damage deposit back

33. What’s a Renter to Do? If this happened to you….. • Scenario #1: But my brother did it….. see handout • Scenario #2: Strike 3…uh…Strike 6 see handout • Scenario #3: Pipe Gripes See handout

34. Thanks for participating

35. Handouts • Housing Checklist general & safety • Monthly Budget Worksheet • Places to Live in Prince Albert list of public & specialized housing • Government subsidies • Checking out a Place: includes questions to ask the Landlord • Sample Non-profit Housing Application • Sample Rental Agreement (lease) • Rent Receipt Samples • Rental Terms

36. More Handouts 10. Good Tenant Checklist 11. Condition of Premises Checklist for moving in & out 12. Reporting a Problem to the Landlord sample letter 13. Rules for Renters 14. Useful Contacts for Renters 15. It Only Takes One: a safer community pamphlet from SK Justice 16. Surviving in Prince Albert pamphlet

37. AcknowledgementsA Place to Call Home • Createdby the Prince Albert Literacy Network with guidance from River Bank Development Corporation and funded by the Government of Canada Homelessness Partnering Strategy • Project developers: Sylvia Gent and Kim Orynik.  • Valuable contributions by various housing authorities and organizations in Prince Albert, community service agencies, and tenant focus groups.   • Thank you to the Prince Albert Literacy Network for providing an internet home for this package on their webpage:  www.princealbertliteracy.ca